Auto steering device.



0.1. PATTERSON. AUTO STEERING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 23, 1915- 1,226,586, Patented. May15,191?,

f onus/run J. rerrnnson, or WHITE ROCK, PENNSYLVANIA.

AUTO s'rnnnino nnvron.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHESTER J. PA'rrER- son, citizen of the United States, residing at White Rock, in the county of Lancaster and State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements in Auto Steering Devices, ofwhich the following is a specification. r

The invention relates to steering gear attachments for automobiles and the-object thereof is to provide a device of this character capable of assisting and controlling the movement of the steering'wheels of the steering gear.

matically keep the automobile straight when running over rough,muddy or sandy roads. Still further objects reside in a device of this type which will prevent accidents,

if, portions of the steering gear should breakor become disabled, and also relieve the driver of the automobile from physical and mental strain.

Other objects reside in the elimination of rattle in the various joints in the steering gear and in reducing wear and tear upon the several parts thereof.

In addition-to these objects, various improvements in the construction and operation of thedevice are fully brought out in the following description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which,

Figure 1 is a plan view of a portion of the steering gear of an automobile illus-' trating the application of the invention thereto;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary vertical section' on the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of one of the attachment clips,

Fig. 4 is a transverse section on the line 4. 4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a detailed perspective view of the steering knuckle clamps.

Specification of Letters Patent.

. Patented May 15, 1&1?

Application filed. November 23, 1915. Serial a... 63,024.

Referring to the drawings the preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a steering gear 10, associated with an automo- ,-bile, or other vehicle (not shown). The steering gear consists of the usual axle 11 in which are formed bearings 12 for the reception of steering knuckles 13, the latter comprising wheel receiving spindles 14 and crank arms 15. A connecting rod 16 unites the crank arms 15 and is associated in any explanation of the same is accordingly omitted. It is to be understood, however, that any preferred form ofsteering gear may be utilized, as, the form above referred to, is used for purposes ofdescription and illustration only.

Clips 18'are passed over the axle ll near the medial portion thereof where the cross sectional area isslightly reduced and thence forced outwardly until the same are wedged tightly against the relatively enlarged portions of the axle. The axlell being approximately I shaped in cross section, the clips 18 are formed with a vertical shank portion '19 provided with continuous laterally bent portions 20 which terminate in axle gripping fingers 21.

Secured to the crank arms 15, of the steering knuckles 13, are clamps 22, preferably formed of a single strip of metal, bent as at 23 in order to encircle'and engage the arms 15. Alining'apertu'res 24 are formed in the clamps 22 and through which are passed bolts, or other members 25 by which the clamps 22 are firmly secured, in a fixed position,'upon the crank arms 15.

Formed in' the outer end of the clamps 22 are openings 26 through which are passed and secured the ends of strong helical springs 27, having their opposite ends se-. cured to the clips 18 adjacent the axle 11. The tension of the springs 27 is equally distributed upon the crank arms 15 and nor- With this construction :it will be obvious the connecting rod lolimiting the inward @1012 that the normal position of the spindles 1d,

of the knuckles 13 is in direct alinement,

which results in imparting a straight ahead direction of movement to the automoblle.

When, however, the steering knuckles 13 are.

operated to turn the ear fr0m its initial path of movement, a stronger tension will be placed upon one of the steering knuckles and a reduction in the tension of the cooperating knuckle, so that if an accident should occur to the steering mechanism the rounding said axle, and frictionally engaging the same and each coinprising a vertical shank portion and laterally bent portions overlying the top and bottom of the axle and having the terminals thereof formed to provide gripping fingers engaging the top and bottom edges of the axle, substantially U-shaped clamps surrounding the re spective spindle arms of the steering gear, bolts passed through the legs of theclamps and acting to hold the latter upon the arms, and springs each having one end secured to one of said clips and the other end fastened to the corresponding clamp, said springs acting to hold the spindles in hori- Zontal alinement with the axle and to draw said clips toward the outer ends oi the axle to create a binding action between the clips and the tapering portion of the axle.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

CHESTER J. PATTERSON. 

